Top 10 Fittest Legendary Action Stars 2024

Which action heroes seem like they could actually take on the roles they portray on screen? From defeating villainous bad guys to outrunning explosions, the following 10 legendary action stars have the physiques and prowess to back up their on-screen bravado. Whether performing gravity-defying jumps, brawny fistfights, or escapes through sheer athleticism, these heroes prove that inner and outer strength come together in the perfect storm of entertainment.

Samir Becic, the acclaimed author of the health and fitness book ReSYNC Your Life and a prominent figure in the health and fitness realm, recognizes how great an example these legendary action stars are to fans around the world. He believes, “With physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle, chronological age becomes irrelevant, and all that matters is how you feel – which is your biological age. By definition, one’s biological age is determined by physiology rather than chronology; factors of biological aging include changes in the physical structure of the body, as well as changes in the performance of motor skills and sensory awareness. These men are examples of what physical fitness can accomplish at ANY age and they are an inspiration to millions of people worldwide.”

For the first time since we started our rankings a decade ago, we have incorporated a vital component: mental health. Recognizing its significant influence on overall well-being, we have taken into account the mental health aspect while crafting this prestigious list. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that 1 in 5 Americans suffers from mental health illness, making it imperative to address this crucial aspect of health.

From iconic characters to legendary personas and tough guys, see which real-life supermen have the muscles, endurance, and skills to survive any mission.

In alphabetical order here are the Top 10 Fittest Legendary Action Stars 2024:

Jackie Chan

Fitness:

• He has prided himself on doing all his stuntwork himself! But, not all of the superstar’s antics had happy endings, and a few even landed him in the hospital. Chan’s injuries include a fractured nose, ribs, ankles, and legs. In addition to his back and shoulders, both of his hips are out of place. The injuries never stopped Chan from doing his own stunts, and in addition, he has made jokes about them in a few of his movies.
• In 2013, Chan told Yahoo! that stunt performers are sometimes used as stand-ins for his movies when scenes require his character to walk around, drive, or perform other menial tasks so Chan can rest. The actor also said he has stuntmen perform stunt tests so he has an idea of what to expect when he steps in front of the camera.
• He cross trains at least 3 times a week.
• Jackie Chan does a variety of cardio exercises, such as running, swimming, and cycling. He also does jump rope and martial arts training.
• Jackie Chan does strength training exercises to build muscle mass and strength. He uses weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises.
• Jackie Chan does flexibility training to improve his range of motion and reduce his risk of injury. He does yoga, Pilates, and stretching exercises.

Nutrition:

• Jackie Chan follows a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. He limits his intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats. He also drinks plenty of water.

Mental Health Practices:

• Lifestyle: Jackie Chan gets enough sleep, manages stress, and avoids tobacco and alcohol. He also makes time for relaxation and hobbies, such as playing the piano and reading.
• Jackie Chan has spoken openly about his struggles with mental health. He has said that he has experienced anxiety and depression, and that he has sought professional help for these issues.
• He has openly discussed having OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and ADD (attention deficit disorder)
• He has also said that he finds meditation and exercise to be helpful for managing his mental health.
• In an interview, he stated his life philosophy “My health philosophy is to never go on a diet, eat everything I like, and be happy.”

Vin Diesel

Fitness:

• Vin Diesel follows a structured workout routine that includes weightlifting and cardio exercises.
• He focuses on different muscle groups on specific days of the week, such as chest, shoulders, and triceps on Mondays, shoulders and back on Tuesdays, legs on Wednesdays, back and shoulders on Thursdays, and legs again on Fridays.
• His workouts consist of supersets, where he performs two exercises back-to-back with minimal rest in between.
• Vin Diesel typically performs 4 sets of 8 reps for each exercise.
• He also incorporates core-based exercises and cardio into his routine to maintain low body fat.
• Saturdays and Sundays are rest days for Vin Diesel.

Nutrition:

• Vin Diesel follows a balanced nutrition plan that includes resourceful carbs, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.
• He avoids processed foods and prefers natural, whole foods for the benefit of his mind and body.
• A typical day of eating for Vin Diesel includes meals like porridge with raisins, chia seeds, apple, and almond butter for breakfast, tuna with vegetables or brown rice for lunch, and chicken breasts with bell pepper and brown rice for dinner.
• He also includes supplements in his diet.

Mental Health Practices:

• Following his friend Paul Walker’s death, he discusses taking time to meditate to heal mentally and emotionally; “It took a lot of time and meditation,” Diesel says.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

Fitness:

• Johnson has won multiple championships in the WWE, including being a 10-time world champion and the promotion’s first African-American champion.
• The Rock is known for his demanding workout routines, which typically involve weightlifting, cardio exercises, and functional training.
• He follows a six-day workout schedule, focusing on different muscle groups each day.
• His workouts are intense and often last for several hours.
• The Rock also incorporates flexibility training and mobility exercises to maintain his agility and prevent injuries.

Nutrition:

• The Rock follows a high-calorie diet to meet his energy needs for his intense workouts and muscle-building goals.
• He consumes over 5,000 calories per day, which is about twice the recommended amount for most men his age.
• His diet consists of lean proteins such as cod, chicken, steak, and eggs.
• He includes complex carbohydrates like rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and baked potatoes.
• Healthy fats from sources like peanut butter, eggs, coconut oil, and fish oil supplements are also part of his diet.
• The Rock ensures he includes a cup of vegetables with each meal for fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
• He allows himself a cheat day once a week to indulge in his favorite foods and prevent feelings of deprivation.

Mental Health Practices:

• The Rock has been open about his struggles with depression and the importance of emphasizing mental health.
• He emphasizes the need to identify and pursue things that bring joy and passion, making them a priority in life.
• The Rock acknowledges his own battles with depression and encourages others to seek help and support when needed.

Salman Khan

Fitness:

• He works out six days a week, targeting different muscle groups each day.
• His weight training routine includes exercises like bench press, squats, deadlifts, and bicep curls.
• Salman Khan also includes cardio exercises in his workout routine to improve his cardiovascular health and burn fat.
• He loves outdoor cycling and often goes on long rides, sometimes lasting up to three hours.

Nutrition:

1. Salman Khan follows a strict diet that is high in protein and low in fat.
2. He opts for lean protein sources like chicken, fish, and egg whites.
3. He includes complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes in his diet.
4. Salman Khan drinks a lot of water and green tea to stay hydrated.
5. He avoids processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol.

Mental Health Practices:

• Salman Khan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a proper daily routine, including a good amount of sleep, eating healthy and on time, not skipping meals, and staying hydrated.
• Salman Khan believes that discipline and a strong mind play a significant role in achieving a desired physique.
• In addition to his gym workouts, Salman Khan enjoys outdoor activities like cycling, which can contribute to his mental well-being.

Shah Rukh Khan

Fitness:

1. Shah Rukh Khan engages in regular workouts to stay fit. He follows a combination of cardio exercises, weight training, and functional training.
2. For specific roles like in the movie “Pathaan,” he incorporates circuit training into his fitness routine. This helps in building strength and muscle mass. He also did extensive martial arts training for the role.
3. Shah Rukh Khan pays attention to strengthening his weaker body parts. For example, he worked on his shoulder strength after a shoulder injury.
4. He includes exercises like deadlifts and squats to strengthen his core muscles.
5. Shah Rukh Khan’s commitment to his training is evident as he remains consistent and dedicated to his workouts.

Nutrition:

1. Shah Rukh Khan follows a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods.
2. He includes lean protein sources like grilled chicken in his meals.
3. Shah Rukh Khan incorporates vegetables like broccoli and sprouts into his diet.
4. He prefers to eat two main meals a day and avoids snacking in between.

Mental Health Practices:

1. Shah Rukh Khan believes in maintaining a positive mindset, which plays a crucial role in his overall well-being.
2. He practices stress management techniques to cope with the demands of his profession. This includes meditation and other relaxation techniques.
3. Shah Rukh Khan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life to ensure mental well-being.
4. He prioritizes self-care and takes time for himself to recharge and rejuvenate.

Jet Li

Fitness:

• Jet Li won the title of Men’s All-Around National Wushu Champion five times consecutively between 1974 and 1979.
• Jet Li has been practicing martial arts since a young age and has achieved the status of a five-time Chinese national wushu champion. His training includes a combination of traditional martial arts techniques, such as wushu, as well as other forms of combat training.
• He incorporates badminton into his fitness routine to maintain speed and explosiveness.
• For cardiovascular fitness, Li engages in running and biking. 

Nutrition:

• Li traditionally follows a healthy and balanced diet.
• In the past, Jet Li followed a strict dieting regime that targeted substantial fat loss over a short period of time for a role. This involved eating unseasoned cereal in the morning, boiled chicken breast for lunch, and steamed fish with green onions for dinner.

Mental Health Practices:

• Jet Li has spoken about the importance of inner peace and personal growth. 
• Jet Li has embraced Buddhism, which plays a significant role in his thinking and personal peace. Buddhism emphasizes inner peace and balance, which Li strives to achieve.
•  Li has expressed a desire to show that martial arts is not just about fighting but also about personal growth and learning new ways to fight for a greater good.

Chuck Norris

Fitness:

• Chuck Norris retired from competition with a record of 183–10–2. He is considered one of the greatest champions in the history of American karate. Norris won numerous major titles in karate between 1965 and 1970, including the 1967 and 1968 International Karate Championships, the 1967 and 1968 All American Championships, the 1968 National Tournament of Champions, and the 1968 World Professional Middleweight Title. He retired as the undefeated middleweight champion after his last title defense on January 17, 1970.
• Holds the rank of 10th degree black belt in the Chuck Norris System™ (CNS). 
• Is a black belt in Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. 
• Uses Total Gym and is a spokesperson for the machine
• Works out with his wife as follows: On Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays he does a 15 minute routine on Total Gym, then does the elliptical for 30 min or fast walks for 2 miles, does crunches for 10 min, and stretches for a few minutes.
• On Tuesdays-Thursday-Saturdays he does martial arts training: he starts by stretching and then does isolated kicks in slow motion. Then he will do hand and feet combination strikes on a heavy bag. He finishes with kicks in the water and swimming.

Nutrition:

• Chuck Norris follows a protein-rich diet and places great importance on natural and organic foods. He believes in fueling his body with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to ensure optimal nutrition. He strictly avoids processed foods and sugary snacks, as they do not align with his commitment to health.
• He focuses on consuming lean sources of protein, such as fish, turkey, and egg whites. Chuck Norris has also made adjustments to his diet over the years, cutting out processed oils and red meat. He opts for healthier alternatives like olive oil and avocado.
• Chuck Norris prefers to have his last meal of the day no later than 6 pm. This meal typically consists of salmon or chicken with lots of greens, such as romaine lettuce salads. He purposely avoids carbs in the evening, which he believes has helped him stay lean and sleep better.
• Chuck Norris and his family try to minimize their sugar intake and opt for natural alternatives like stevia.
• Has a water and nutrition line.

Mental Health Practices:

• Chuck Norris recognizes the importance of mental well-being and incorporates practices to maintain a healthy mindset. He emphasizes the significance of pursuing passions and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
• He also values spending quality time with loved ones and engaging in physical activities together, such as martial arts training. Chuck Norris believes that a strong support system and shared goals contribute to a happy and fulfilling life.
• Giving back contributes to his happiness, Norris has held a nonprofit youth fitness program for over 2 decades- Kickstart Kids has taught ‘character through karate’ to over 85,000 kids.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Fitness:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding victories include five Mr. Universe wins (four under NABBA in England and one under IFBB in the USA) and seven Mr. Olympia wins
• Schwarzenegger incorporates cycling into his daily routine, typically riding his bike for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Schwarzenegger loves waving to his fans and passers-by during his bike ride
• Trains daily at Gold’s gym at 7 am
• His primary areas of focus are his biceps, chest, and arms- but doesn’t lift heavy anymore, he does lighter weights but high repetitions
• Stretches and warms up better than in his youth
• During COVID, he published an equipment-free workout guide on his Reddit so that people could stay fit in quarantine!
• He also includes weightlifting in his workouts, focusing on lighter weights and higher reps to avoid putting excessive pressure on his heart valves.
• His current workout routine consists of approximately 90 minutes of cycling and weightlifting per day.

Nutrition:

• Schwarzenegger shifted to a mostly vegan diet about six years ago to lower his cholesterol levels.
• He emphasizes consuming plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Schwarzenegger has reduced his consumption of red meat to aid his cholesterol levels.
• For a treat, Schwarzenegger has what he calls his “secret protein drink” — a German drink called Radler that combines lemonade and beer.
• Puts a whole raw egg (including the shell) into his protein smoothies for added calcium
• During his bodybuilding days, Schwarzenegger focused on consuming a high amount of protein to support muscle growth. He prioritized protein sources such as beef, poultry, fish, and eggs.

Mental Health Practices:

• Schwarzenegger describes himself as being addicted to working out, as it makes him feel good and more positive about life.
• He finds inspiration from seeing others train and push their physical limits, which motivates him to continue working out.
• Schwarzenegger believes that exercise helps him maintain a more optimistic outlook on life.
• In 2023, he published a book titled “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life“- the seven rules to follow to realize your true purpose in life—distilled by Arnold Schwarzenegger from his own journey of ceaseless reinvention and extraordinary achievement, and available for absolutely anyone.

Sylvester Stallone

Fitness:

• Stallone incorporates various exercises into his routine to improve his movement and coordination, including boxing workouts.
• He has shifted from lifting regular weights to mostly using bands and cables, which helps protect his body and keeps his joints moving.
• Stallone likes to keep his workouts interesting by wearing different accessories like headbands, top hats, and cowboy hats.
• Stallone hits the gym 6 days a week.
• Exercises twice a day- even on a bad day.
• Does reformer Pilates.

Nutrition:

• Stallone follows a diet that helps his body stay healthy and strong. He focuses on consuming proteins that are not fatty, carbohydrates that provide energy, and fats that are important for the body.
• During the filming of “Rocky III,” Stallone followed an extreme diet consisting of small portions of oatmeal cookies made with brown rice and a high intake of coffee to keep his body fat down.
• In his later years, Stallone advocates for a more practical diet plan, emphasizing the importance of drinking water, eating balanced meals, and allowing for cheat days.

Mental Health Practices:

• Stallone recognizes the importance of mental health and the impact it has on overall well-being.
• He believes in the power of adaptation and change, both in his personal fitness habits and in life.

Jean Claude Van Damme

Fitness:

• He holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Karate.
• Van Damme competed in several karate and kickboxing competitions; he won the European Karate Championship in 1979.
• Had a kickboxing record of 18-1, with all 18 victories coming by knockout.
• Van Damme works out six to seven times a week, focusing on maintaining his physique and keeping his muscles elastic.
• His workout routine includes exercises such as machine crunches, dumbbell shrugs, lateral raises, bent-over twists, straight leg deadlifts, hack squats, leg curls, barbell rows, dumbbell flyes, and pullovers.
• He also incorporates kickboxing and karate training sessions, which help him stay fit and agile.
• He chooses stamina over strength, and listens to his body, he does lots of repetitions rather than focusing on brute strength and maxing out.
• He walks into the gym every day and asks himself which muscles want to be trained that day and does two muscle groups a day
• Loves ballet and said it has greatly improved his flexibility and dexterity, in addition to keeping his mind focused.
• He emphasizes the importance of consistency in workouts to allow the body to adapt and grow.

Nutrition:

• Van Damme follows a diet that includes small portions of food consumed six to eight times a day.
• Van Damme believes that maintaining gut health is crucial, as many diseases start from the gut. He recommends peeling the skin of fruits like apples and peaches.
• He considers Omega-3 as an important dietary supplement and suggests obtaining it from various sources such as vegetables, fruits, and fish oil.
• Van Damme prefers to eat the yolk of eggs rather than just the whites, as he considers it healthier.
• While he used to consume a lot of meat in his younger years, he has reduced his meat intake and now eats it only about once a month.
• He believes in listening to his body’s needs while maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding excessive junk and sugary foods. 
• He believes in enjoying treats like chocolate and French fries occasionally, but in moderation.

Mental Health Practices:

• Discipline, which for him comes from martial arts (“My real love,” he says, “it’s the art of perfection”), is his guiding light. And he gives a lot of credit to the amount of time he spends training to his mental health.
• He has 8 dogs, who he plays with 10-20 minutes a day and even takes one to the gym with I’m in his convertible daily.
• Van Damme also credits training with helping him handle depression in real life. After he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in in the late Nineties, he took the time to study himself. “I train differently, I eat differently, I’m trying to talk less fast because I have lots of passion for the project,” he says. “I’m better than yesterday.”